Positive-displacement mist lubricator

ABSTRACT

An applicator for fluids, and particularly for lubricants and other such liquids, in which discrete, measured quantities of the fluid are discharged from a line filled with the same by a positive-displacement device, with discharge of such discrete quantities occurring as a spray from a coaxial nozzle which also receives air under pressure and uses the latter to disperse the metered liquid into spray form. The positive displacement metering device is actuated by pulses of air pressure, and the actuating air is from the same source supplying the spray nozzle, preferably through coaxial lines containing both the liquid and the pressurized air.

United States Patent 1 Boelkins 1 1 POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MIST LUBRICATOR [75] Inventor: Wallace G. Boelkins, Grand Rapids.

Mich.

[73] Assignee: Uni-Mist, lnc., Grand Rapids, Mich.

[22] Filed: Nov. 16, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 416,393

[52] U.S. Cl. 239/412; 239/416.5; 239/418; 239/600; 184/7 D [51] Int. Cl B05b 1/30; BOSb 7/00 [58] Field of Search 239/104, 411, 412, 416.5, 239/424, 600; 184/7 D, 7 E

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 June 10, 1975 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 505,353 5/1939 United Kingdom 239/412 177,817 4/1922 United Kingdom 239/412 410,094 5/1934 United Kingdom 239/104 [57] ABSTRACT An applicator for fluids, and particularly for lubricants and other such liquids, in which discrete, measured quantities of the fluid are discharged from a line filled with the same by a positive-displacement device, with discharge of such discrete quantities occurring as a spray from a coaxial nozzle which also receives air under pressure and uses the latter to disperse the metered liquid into spray form. The positive displacement metering device is actuated by pulses of air pres- 'gg J19) sure, and the actuating air is from the same source 3'456382 7/1969 supplying the spray nozzle, preferably through coaxial 3:43 :74 12 1959 lines containing both the liquid and the pressurized 3,561,680 2/1971 air. 3,653,466 4/1972 3,693.75? 9/1972 Callahan et al. 134/7 D Clam, 6 Drawing Figures Z /6 24 Z A? I /4 /0 42/ I a a PATENTEDJUNIO 1975 3.888420 &

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POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MIST LUBRICATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past, positive-displacement metering devices have been known and used, but only to provide a dropby-drop or like metered quantity application of lubricant or other liquid at a point of application. from a line filled with the liquid from the positive-displacement device to the point of application. While spray systems have also existed in the past, these have typically been of a continuous duty nature, at times operated in a periodically cycling manner, in which both liquid and air under pressure are supplied other than by positivedisplacement devices and in continuous or lengthy streams to the ultimate point of application. where spraying occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Unlike prior devices, the present invention provides a drop-by-drop type of system, utilizing a positivedisplacement metering device, but in which the repeating small quantities of metered liquid are sprayed at the point of application, being there atomized in practically any desired degree by air pressure, and preferably, by the same jets of air pressure actuating the positive displacement device and causing the same to cyclically operate. Further, the apparatus of the invention provides a stack" structure, assembled together by use of building block" component pieces which can be readily assembled into the desired operative structure, and which includes separate positive-displacement me tering devices and a unitary manifolding block or element which, in combination, provide a coaxial-type output of repeatably pulsating pressurized air and liquid for metered spray from a nozzle.

The foregoing major objectives, and the attendant advantages, will, with other attendant objectives and advantages, become more apparent following consideration of the ensuing specification and of the annexed drawings, which are briefly described in the following paragraph.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the novel device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, in central section, of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1',

FIG. 3 is an overhead plan view of the lowermost component in the assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2, constituting the manifolding apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view, taken through the plane IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, overhead plan sectional view, taken through the plane VV of FIG. 2', and

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged, fragmentary, central sectional view of the coaxial nozzle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The overall assembly 10 of the invention. seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes an upper clamping member 12 defining inlets l4 and [6 for actuating air or other gas under pressure and operating liquid, respectively, as well as including the positive-displacement metering device and manifolding device 30, with such three components being assembled in building-block fashion by a pair of tie bolts I8 which extend downwardly through ear-like bosses 13 on opposite sides of the upper member 12 and which have tubular or integral spacers 19. the bolts 18 threading into appropriately tapped openings 31 (FIG. 3) in the top of the manifold 30.

While illustrated in some detail in FIG. 2, the positive-displacemente metering device 20 is, or may be, of a known type, for example of a type sold by Master Pneumatic-Detroit, Inc., of Detroit, Mich. and de scribed in US. Pat. No. 3,421,600 issued to such com pany. Nonetheless, to facilitate an understanding ofthe invention, a brief description ofthe metering device 20 follows below.

Basically, the metering device 20 comprises a reciprocable metering plunger 22 which moves forward through a vertical liquid-supply passage 24 and through a horizontally-disposed bore 26 which constitutes a metering chamber, That is, forward reciprocation of plunger 22 will serve to push a discrete and precise amount of liquid from the passage 24 outward through the metering orifice 26, such discrete amount passing through a spring-biased check valve 28 and thence downwardly through an interconnecting passage 29 to the manifold 30. As illustrated, it would be possible with the device 20 to dispense the metered liquid di rectly from the check valve 28 horizontally outward from the metering device body; however, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, such fluid is conducted to the manifold 30, with the passages in the end of the metering device body which would otherwise be used being closed by an appropriate threaded end fitting 120, together with a threaded stud-like closure 12] which, in turn, threads into fitting to close it.

In other respects, it need only be mentioned that the plunger 22 in the metering device 20 is actuated by pulses of fluid pressure, for example compressed air or other such gas, from inlet 14, such pulses of actuating fluid entering downwardly into the body of the device 20 to act against a piston portion 122 attached to the plunger 22, to drive the latter forward in response to pressurized air behind such piston portion. As indi cated, a return spring loads the opposite side of piston 122 to return it to its original position, withdrawing the plunger 22 from the metering orifice 26 after each actuating pulse. Preferably, the device also includes a threaded stem 123 having an end actuating member 124 attached thereto, by which the plunger 22 may be reciprocated forwardly by manual pressure. A collar 125 which limits the outward excursion of the end member 124, and thus of the plunger 22, can be used to vary the amount of fluid discharged by the metering device upon each forward actuation of the plunger 22, in a known manner, by changing the position of the forward end of plunger 22 with respect to penetration thereof into the vertical passage 24 and the metering orifice 26.

The manifolding device 30 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5) comprises basically a rectangular, block-like component in which a plurality of internal passages are formed for fluid flow, including the following. A first inlet 32 for the pressurized air or other gas or fluid extends downwardly into the manifold block, and communicates lat erally with a side port 33, which thus may serve as an alternate inlet for such fluid. Passage 32 is intersected by a forwardly-extending passage 34 which communicates at the forward end of the block with the outer most passage 35 of a coaxial port 36. the central passage 37 thereof extends inwardly of the block and then upwardly, to communicate with a port 38 in the top of the block. The forwardly projecting passage 34 intersects (FIGS. 3 and 4) or is actually in series with (FIG. the forward extremity 41 of a threaded lateral opening 40, which is used to receive a pointed adjustment valve element 42 (FIG. 1), for purposes to be noted subsequently. The forwardly-projecting passage 34 does not, however, intersect a lateral passage 44 (FIGS. 3 and 4) extending inwardly of the block from a port 45 and communicating to the top of the manifolding block through a port 46, whose purpose will also be de scribed subsequently.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, the coaxial port 36 at the forward end of the manifold block mounts a pair of coaxial tubes or lines 48 and 50. This may be done, for example. by flaring outwardly the end extremity 52 of the outer tube 50 and using a threaded fitting 54 to hold the flared end in place, while at the same time press-fitting or otherwise securing the inner tube 48 over the cylinder-like projection 56 surrounding the central passage 37, such projection being formed in the machining of the annular recess 35 defining the outer passage. Thus, the outer coaxial tube 50 receives fluid (typically. compressed air) from the rear passage 32, via the forwardly projecting passage 34, and through the regulation chamber 41 for needle valve 42, which thus may be used to vary the flow into outer tube 50. Accordingly, fluid in the inner tube 48 is totally separate from fluid in the outer tube 50 as, of course, should be the case in a coaxial system where two different fluids are typically used. In connection with the term coaxial as used herein, it should be understood that this is merely used in a somewhat descriptive sense to indicate a pair of mutually-telescoped tubes, and not in any strict literal sense implying actual coincidence of the axes of the two tubes, particularly inasmuch as at least the inner tube is commonly a synthetic plastic or like member of high flexibility, and will thus frequently shift axial position within the outer tube, depending on the configuration and position of the latter in actual usage.

At the forward end of the coaxial tubes 48 and 50 is a mixing nozzle 60 (FIGS. 1) whose structure is illustrated in FIG. 6. Nozzle 60 may be of a generally known type, comprising basically a tubular outer tip 62 having a somewhat constricted, open end, together with an open-ended inner tubular member 64 which is coextensive with the outer tip. The latter mounts over the outer coaxial tube or line 50 and is secured thereto in any convenient way, while the inner member 64 has a rearwardly-protruding hub portion 66, onto which the inner coaxial tube or line 48 seats, and to which the latter is sealed. Further, the inner member 64 has a central hub portion 68 of enlarged diameter which mounts securely within the inside of the outer coaxial tube 50, so as to thereby hold and position the inner tube with respect to the outer tube in the general area of the nozzle. The central hub portion 68 is of radially spoked construction defining a series of open axial areas 70, through which fluid from the outer tube may flow to the open end of the nozzle. As will be recognized, the nozzle 60 is thus of a construction which will mix separate fluids transferred within the tubes 48 and 50, at the open end extremities of the nozzle. More particularly, where the fluid in the innermost tube is a liquid and the fluid in the outermost tube is a compressed air or gas, the nozzle 60 will operate as a spraying device, with the liquid emitted from the center member 64 being widely dispersed and atomized by the compressed air emitted at the open end f t n 62.

In operation, actuating compressed air is coupled to the device either at inlet 14 (H68. 1 and 2) in the top or at side port 33, with the opening not used being closed by an appropriate plug (not shown). This supply air, or other such gas, is under pressure and is provided in pulses, each of which will cyclically operate the metering device 20 to produce a discrete, measured or metered amount of liquid, or other fluid, with each such pulse.

Liquid, for example, a lubricant, coolant or an ink used for marking purposes, is coupled to the device at inlet 16 in the top, or at inlet 45 in the side, with the unused such inlet being plugged. Such liquid will be provided in a steady quantity under at least some pressure, even if only under the influence of gravity. As a consequence, the vertical liquid supply passage 24 (FIG. 2) will always be filled with liquid, so that each forward reciprocation of the plunger 22, as a result of a pulse of the compressed air, will positively displace, and thus force under pressure, a discrete amount of the liquid forward, through the check valve 28 and the connecting passage 29, downward through the passage 37 and outward into the center tube 48. During normal operation, this entire system of passages, including all of tube 48, will be filled with liquid all the way to the nozzle 60, so that each pulse of compressed air to the metering device will result in the same quantity of liq uid being pushed out of the center tip element 64 of the nozzle. At the same time, the pulse of compressed air which actuates the metering device will also be present in the outer coaxial line 50 since the air pressure will be conveyed along the interior forwardly-projecting passage of the metering block, through the outer p ssage 35 thereof, and out into the coaxial line 50. Thus, this pulse of air will appear at the open l of nozzle tip 62, where it will serve to atomize and spray the liquid discharged from the inner tip member 64, spraying the latter at any target the nozzle is trz 18d upon.

Accordingly, it may be seen that the invention provides a novel device by which a first fluid, typically a liquid, is metered in response to pulses of a second. fluid, typically compressed air, and furthermore it is metered by a positive displacement device, so that at a remote point a corresponding metered amount of the liquid is dispensed and, at the same time, is sprayed or atomized in a discharge of the second fluid, i.e., the compressed air. That is, the device not only provides for the positive-displacement metering of a fluid, but also provides for the mixing of such fluid with the second such fluid, and furthermore, the mixing actually constituting a spraying. As may be seen, the invention is preferably structured in a building block" type structure in which the metering device is separate and distinct from the other components, both of which comprise manifolding means which at least serve as inlets to the device. In this regard, of course, the lower manifolding means, providing the outlet port in the preferred embodiment, has greater functional significance than the upper clamping member, although these elements may be interchanged or substituted one for another to a certain extent if desired, and the upper memher need not be used in all installations. Further. the elements may be combined in additive numbers. for example with a large number of the metering devices and the lower manifolding block combined in a variety of different multiple units.

It is entirely conceivable that upon examining the foregoing disclosure. those skilled in the art may devise embodiments of the concept involved which differ somewhat from the embodiment shown and described. herein. or may make various changes in structural details to the present embodiment. Consequently, all such changed embodiments or variations in structure which utilize the concepts of the invention and clearly incorporate the spirit thereof are to be considered as within the scope of the claims appended herebelow, unless these claims by their language specifically state otherwise.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A positive-displacement fluid metering and mixing device. comprising in combination: means for repeatably dispensing a metered quantity of a first fluid in response to repeated pulse actuation by means of a recip rocating fluid displacement member movable through a metering passage means cooperative therewith, to positively volumetrically displace a metered quantity of said first fluid upon reciprocation of such member; means providing an inlet to supply fluid to and an outlet to convey a solid column of positively-displaced metered fluid from said fluid-dispensing means; conduit means forming a filled passage of positively-displaced metered fluid from said dispensing means, leading from said outlet to a dispensing point where metered quantities of said fluid are ejected volumetrically by operation of said displacement member; a supply of a second fluid under pressure, including a nozzle outlet at said dispensing point; and means at said dispensing point for mixing said first and second fluids at such point.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said means at said dispensing point for mixing said fluids is operative in response to and mixes as a function of the pressure of said second fluid.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said supply of second fluid includes an elongate tube leading from a source of said fluid to said outlet therefor.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said means responsive to repeated pulse signals is responsive to fluid pressure pulses.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said means is responsive to pressure pulses of said second fluid.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said reciprocating member includes a fluid pressure-driven member.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said member is driven by the pressure of said second fluid.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said member com prises a metering plunger and said means cooperative therewith comprise a metering chamber in which said plunger is movable.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said first fluid is a liquid and said second fluid is a gas. and wherein said means at said dispensing point for mixing said fluids in cludes means for spraying said liquid.

10. The device of claim 9. wherein said means for spraying comprises means for injecting a metered quantity of said liquid into a pressurized release of said gas to form a spray therefrom.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said means for injecting comprises a nozzle having outlets for both said liquid and gas.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein both of said flu ids are conducted to said dispensing point by separate conduits, and said nozzle is connected to both such conduits.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said conduits together comprise a conxial"-type structure. having one such conduit telescoped inside the other.

14. The fluid metering and mixing device of claim 1. wherein said device comprises in combination: at least two fluid-conducting bodies stacked one upon the other and secured together; one of said bodies comprising a positive displacement injector means for dispcns ing discrete metered amounts of a first fluid from a fluid-filled conduit on a repeating basis, and the other of said bodies comprising a unitary block-form fluid manifolding means having separate flow channels, one for conveying a supply of said first fluid to, and another for conveying dispensed amounts of such fluid from, said one body; said manifolding means including an inlet port for said first fluid and an interior passage extending therefrom to and registering with a passage of said first body, another interior passage registering with a further passage of said first body and terminating in an outlet port, and second inlet and outlet ports together with an inter-connecting interior passage, for a second fluid; fluid-conducting conduits coupled to said outlet ports for conveying said two fluids to a mixing point; and means at said point for mixing said two fluids and discharging the mixture thereof.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said means for mixing said two fluids and discharging the mixture thereof comprises a spray nozzle for dispersing said first fluid into said second fluid.

16. The device of claim 15. wherein said nozzle is a device of the coaxial" type.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said outlet ports for said first and second fluids comprise a single dual channel port having two separated fluid flow paths, and including a pair of mutually telescoped lines connected between said port and said nozzle to convey said two 

1. A positive-displacement fluid metering and mixing device, comprising in combination: means for repeatably dispensing a metered quantity of a first fluid in response to repeated pulse actuation by means of a reciprocating fluid displacement member movable through a metering passage means cooperative therewith, to positively volumetrically displace a metered quantity of said first fluid upon reciprocation of such member; means providing an inlet to supply fluid to and an outlet to convey a solid column of positively-displaced metered fluid from said fluid-dispensing means; conduit means forming a filled passage of positivelydisplaced metered fluid from said dispensing means, leading from said outlet to a dispensing point where metered quantities of said fluid are ejected volumetrically by operation of said displacement member; a supply of a second fluid under pressure, including a nozzle outlet at said dispensing point; and means at said dispensing point for mixing said first and second fluids at such point.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said means at said dispensing point for mixing said fluids is operative in response to and mixes as a function of the pressure of said second fluid.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said supply of second fluid includes an elongate tube leading from a source of said fluid to said outlet therefor.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said means responsive to repeated pulse signals is responsive to fluid pressure pulses.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein said means is responsive to pressure pulses of said second fluid.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein said reciprocating member includes a fluid pressure-driven member.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein said member is driven by the pressure of said second fluid.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein said member comprises a metering plunger and said means cooperative therewith comprise a metering chamber in which said plunger is movable.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein said first fluid is a liquid and said second fluid is a gas, and wherein said means at said dispensing point for mixing said fluids includes means for spraying said liquid.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein said means for spraying comprises means for injecting a metered quantity of said liquid into a pressurized release of said gas to form a spray therefrom.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein said means for injecting comprises a nozzle having outlets for both said liquid and gas.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein both of said fluids are conducted to said dispensing point by separate conduits, and said nozzle is connected to both such conduits.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein said conduits together comprise a ''''coaxial'''' -type structure, having one such conduit telescoped inside the other.
 14. The fluid metering and mixing device of claim 1, wherein said device comprises in combination: at least two fluid-conducting bodies stacked one upon the other and secured together; one of said bodies comprising a positive displacement injector means for dispensing discrete metered amounts of a first fluid from a fluid-filled conduit on a repeating basis, and the other of said bodies comprising a unitary block-form fluid manifolding means having separate flow channels, one for conveying a supply of said first fluid to, and another for conveying dispensed amounts of such fluid from, said one body; said manifolding means including an inlet port for said first fluid and an interior passage extending therefrom to and registering with a passage of said first body, another interior passage registering with a further passage of said first body and terminating in an outlet port, and second inlet and outlet ports together with an inter-connecting interior passage, for a second fluid; fluid-conducting conduits coupled to said outlet ports for conveying said two fluids to a mixing point; and means at said point for mixing said two fluids and discharging the mixture thereof.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein said means for mixing said two fluids and discharging the mixture thereof comprises a spray nozzle for dispersing said first fluid into said second fluid.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein said nozzle is a device of the ''''coaxial'''' type.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein said outlet ports for said first and second fluids comprise a single dual-channel port having two separated fluid flow paths, and including a pair of mutually telescoped lines connected between said port and said nozzle to convey said two fluids separately therebetween. 